Prokofiev, Sergey - Schnittke: Concerto for Piano and Strings - Prokofiev: Symphony No. 2 - Bronfman, Yefim

The third album released on the Cleveland Orchestra label follows the "old and new" combination of the previous release and includes recordings by Prokofiev and Schnittke that cover both pre-pandemic and post-pandemic music-making.

Prokofiev's Second Symphony is a beautiful and skillfully crafted gem inspired by the early 20th century's fascination with mechanics and industry, as well as the ever-changing world of that era. Franz Welser-Möst sees the work as "a fascinating exploration of both the world war itself and a reflection on how it changed people's perceptions. It is a far-sighted view of the modern era and shows us an expressionist spirit that is still deeply moving – and disturbing – today."

Schnittke's concerto for piano and strings, featuring pianist Yefim Bronfman playing with the orchestra's string section, was recorded at Severance Hall in Cleveland amid Covid-19 restrictions as part of the orchestra's new In Focus digital broadcast series – one of the orchestra's new initiatives for the 2020–21 season.